Clare defeated Limerick by 1-10 to 0-10 in the Munster Minor Football Championship Semi-Final 2nd Playoff on Saturday at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick.

Match Report

Munster Minor Football Championship Semi-Final 2nd playoff

Clare 1-10 Limerick 0-10

Clare qualified for the Munster Minor Football Semi-Final against Cork by virtue of a three point victory over Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening. Clare started strong and built up a 1-2 to 0-0 lead in the first quarter with Adrian Murrihy raising the green flag. The impressive Danny Frewen scored Limerick’s first point in the 17th minute and three further Frewen points and white flags from Limerick’s Francis O’Riordan and Danny Neville meant Clare’s lead was reduced to 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval.

Clare’s play improved in the second half, creating numerous goal chances which they failed to convert meaning that entering the final quarter, the sides were level at 1-6 to 0-9. However, Clare full-forward Niall Hickey helped put his team back in front with 3 pointed frees and when the impressive Clare midfielder Conor Cleary kicked a point from play in injury time, it sealed a hard fought victory for the Banner County.

5th minute – Eoin Cleary kicks a point from play for Clare to open the scoring – Clare 0-1 Limerick 0-0

8th minute – Adrian Murrihy makes a long run through the Limerick defence and finishes with aplomb to score a goal for Clare, getting injured in the process forcing his retirement – Clare 1-1 Limerick 0-0

On tomorrow evening (Saturday), Limerick will host Clare in the Munster Minor Football Championship 2nd playoff in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick. The winners will have home advantage against the defending champions Cork in the Munster semi-final on Wednesday May 18th. In the Championship to date, Clare proved a match for Cork in the first round at Pairc Uí Rinn. However, Cork took their goal chances and Clare did not which proved the difference in a 2-10 to 0-11 victory for the Rebel County. Three days later, Clare got back on track with an impressive 14 point victory over Waterford at Dungarvan where goals proved no problem in a 4-14 to 1-9 victory. Limerick on the other hand have had one match to date, a disappointing 1-13 to 0-9 loss at the hands of Tipperary in a match played at Kilmallock. Based on known form, Clare would appear favourites to progress to a semi-final rematch with Cork. However, it’s less than a month since Limerick came from 5 points down against Clare in the Cadbury Munster Under 21 Football Championship to earn a draw before winning out in extra time. With home advantage, Limerick will look recover from their first round defeat and neither team will be taking anything for granted in what looks like being an entertaining match on Easter Saturday evening. Jer Lynch of Kerry is in charge of the whistle and throw-in on Saturday is at 7:30pm.

Munster Minor Football Cup
The Tadhg Crowley Cup was presented by Munster Council in 1990 to commemorate late Munster Council Treasurer. Tadhg was elected as Munster Council Treasurer in 1968 and served until his death in December 1989. A teacher by profession, he also served as Kerry County Board Secretary from 1955 until 1970. Tadhg was recognized as a specialist in organizing and handling styles and gates at big Munster Championship games.

All Ireland Minor Football Championship

In the Minor Football All Ireland Roll of Honour, Kerry top the charts with 11 titles while Cork are tied for second with Dublin with 10 titles. Clare won the first All-Ireland Minor Football title in 1929 while Tipperary only All-Ireland success at this grade came in 1934. Between them Munster counties have accounted for 23 All-Ireland Minor Football titles, ahead of Leinster and Ulster (20 titles each) and Connacht (17 titles).

The All-Ireland Minor Football title has not been won by a Munster county since Cork’s 2-12 to 0-13 victory over Mayo in the 2000 Final. Since then, Ulster counties have won 7 of the 10 finals played, Connacht 2 titles and Leinster have 1 title.

Cork are the defending Munster Minor Football Champions following a 1-8 to 1-7 victory over Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney. Corner-forward Brian Hurley scored 1-6 for the winners, including a 58th minute goal to complete a come from behind victory.

Since 1956, Cork and Kerry have won every Munster Minor Football title with the exception of 1984 and 1995 when Tipperary were successful.

Tipperary have played 45 matches in the Munster Minor Football Championship since 2000, more than any other Munster county.

Waterford have won 1 Munster Minor Football Championship match out of 14 played since 2005.

Cork, Kerry and Tipperary have won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Football Championship every year since 2001.

The Kerry manager Pat O’Driscoll was the manager of The Ardfert Senior Football team that captured All Ireland Club Junior Championship honours in 2006 and won the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Championship in 2007.

Clare Minor Footballers Eoin and Conor Clancy from the Milltown club are twin brothers.

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